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Canucks get good news on Chris Higgins — mild knee strain, out ‘couple of weeks’

Vancouver Canucks Chris Higgins (left) and new linemate Derek Roy celebrate Higgins’ goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL game at Rogers Arena last week. Higgins, who injured his knee on Monday against the Phoenix Coyotes, may not be sidelined as long as initially thought, the Canucks said Thursday.

Photograph by: DARRYL DYCK
, THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY — Winger Chris Higgins' knee injury is not as serious as first feared and the Vancouver Canucks could have him back before the end of the regular season.

Coach Alain Vigneault said a scan indicated Higgins has a "mild strain."

"So we are looking at a couple of weeks," Vigneault said Thursday before the team left Calgary for Denver.

Vigneault said if Higgins' rehab goes well he could be back before the end of the regular season. The Canucks finish the regular season on April 27 with a game in Edmonton.

Vigneault said defenceman Chris Tanev remains out "indefinitely" with what is believed to be a foot injury. But general manager Mike Gillis sounded more optimistic about Tanev's return.

"We think he'll be back fairly soon as well," Gillis said.

Tanev has missed two games with his injury, while Higgins sat out his first game Wednesday night.

FEELING BETTER: Goalie Cory Schneider, who missed Wednesday night's game in Calgary with the flu, said he is recovering nicely.

"I'm feeling better, but yesterday I wasn't feeling very well so we decided to take it easy, lay low and try to fight this thing off," Schneider said Thursday before boarding the team bus in Calgary. "That's why we have got Roberto (Luongo) there. We are in great hands with him and he played a great game, it sounds like."

Schneider didn't actually get to see the game.

"I couldn't watch the game because the hotel didn't play the Flames' game," he said with a laugh. "They played the Oilers' game — 7:30 rolled around and they are going to Rexall Place and I'm like, 'you've got to be kidding me.' I listened to it on the radio, I streamed it online so I heard it and it sounded like he (Luongo) was real busy at the start and again at the end."

Schneider hopes he will be able to practise with the team Friday in Denver and be ready to play Saturday afternoon when the Canucks meet the Colorado Avalanche in the second stop of their five-game trip (Noon, Sportsnet Pacific, Team 1040).

"I talked to Bernie (head trainer Mike Burnstein) and the doctors to see where they think I am at," he said. "They are trying to get a lot of fluids in me and all that stuff. My energy level is better overall. Another day off today more or less and a practice tomorrow to see where I am at."

MAKING AN IMPRESSION: Luongo's performance against the Flames after a lengthy stretch of inactivity seemed to make a big impression on his teammates.

"It was very impressive," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said Thursday. "I talked to him before the game and he said he hadn't been this nervous for a long time. It was great to see. Like he said after the game, he wanted to show he was in this for us and for himself and was focused on the team and it was great to see."

DRIVE FOR FIVE: The Canucks now control their destiny in the Northwest Division and Henrik Sedin does not see the team squandering its lead over the Minnesota Wild.

"If we can keep playing like this we are going to get enough points to win the division," Henrik said.

The Canucks also think the fact they have been pushed this season by the Wild will benefit them come playoff time.

"I think it's good if we can keep having them push to get the division," Henrik said of the Wild. "I think it's good for our team to play those meaningful games down the stretch. The longer that goes on the better for us."

"The Wild are still there and home-ice advantage is huge," added defenceman Dan Hamhuis. "It's nice to play meaningful games right to the end as opposed to having it on cruise control and trying to say that you have to work hard and get ready for the playoffs. But it's different when you do actually have to play that way.

"Look how L.A. got in last year. They fought tooth and nail to get into the playoffs and just continued to play like that right through. I think it's easier to do that going into the playoffs as opposed to the way we did it last year."

Vancouver Canucks Chris Higgins (left) and new linemate Derek Roy celebrate Higgins’ goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL game at Rogers Arena last week. Higgins, who injured his knee on Monday against the Phoenix Coyotes, may not be sidelined as long as initially thought, the Canucks said Thursday.

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